Router & Mesh Wifi

Hello:

I'm not sure if this post belongs in this section, was going to put into external hardware.

Anyway, I've just upgraded to gigabit via Verizon. Unbeknownst to me I was told that my old Quantum Gateway Router G1100 router can be used for the gigabit speeds and I wouldn't have to upgrade my router to the newest router the G3100. The reason I opted to use the to get the newer router was because it has the backhaul feature which will allow me to dedicate some of the items clogging up my broadband to their own channel or so I've read.

The old router; the G1100 is wifi 4 and and dual band.  The latest Verizon router; the G3100 is triband and wifi 6. I've read up about Mesh wifi systems and how they can extend the range of the wifi.  That is something I need as I have issues while upstairs with slow speeds and this is on top of the lagg issue due to all the connections with the Ring security system!☹

What I want to know is it possible to keep my old Verizon Fios Quantum Gateway router which I don't pay rental fee for and hook it up to a  tri-band wifi 6 mesh system to add the Ring security to it's own channel OR do both the router and mesh wifi system need to be wifi 6???

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks.

Edited by littlefingers116, 02 June 2021 - 08:35 PM.

We have to deal with competing requirements and capabilities of what you have:

WiFi 4 is the equivalent of 802.11n, and even the newest version cannot achieve Gigabit speeds

The Quantum Gateway Router G1100 as produced for Verizon, is an AC gateway: Microsoft Word - BHR4-FiOS User Guide - Draft 20131217v3 (fccid.io), and it does have an ac mode, which can achieve Gigabit speeds

If the laptop or computer upstairs does not have an ac wireless card inside it, it will not be able to achieve the Gigabit speeds with either the current or newer gateway

The Ring devices are usually b/g/n, so you would not achieve the Gigabit speeds offered by your current gateway or the newer gateway

You COULD get away with keeping the older gateway

The reason to go ahead and upgrade to the WiFi6 device is slightly better security, and newer feature availability. This is just a hint: Wi-Fi 6: What’s Different, and Why it Matters (howtogeek.com)

It may not make your Ring or upstairs computer actually get Gigabit speeds, but it will handle the traffic better, will have additional features, and it will be kept more up-to-date as security patches and fixes get released.

We have to deal with competing requirements and capabilities of what you have:

WiFi 4 is the equivalent of 802.11n, and even the newest version cannot achieve Gigabit speeds

The Quantum Gateway Router G1100 as produced for Verizon, is an AC gateway: Microsoft Word - BHR4-FiOS User Guide - Draft 20131217v3 (fccid.io), and it does have an ac mode, which can achieve Gigabit speeds

If the laptop or computer upstairs does not have an ac wireless card inside it, it will not be able to achieve the Gigabit speeds with either the current or newer gateway

The Ring devices are usually b/g/n, so you would not achieve the Gigabit speeds offered by your current gateway or the newer gateway

 

You COULD get away with keeping the older gateway

 

The reason to go ahead and upgrade to the WiFi6 device is slightly better security, and newer feature availability. This is just a hint: Wi-Fi 6: What’s Different, and Why it Matters (howtogeek.com)

It may not make your Ring or upstairs computer actually get Gigabit speeds, but it will handle the traffic better, will have additional features, and it will be kept more up-to-date as security patches and fixes get released.

Hi BC Advisor:

Thank you VERY much for responding to my message!

It's not that I want to achieve gigabit speeds with the Ring Security system it's that the system is lagging when it comes to alerts etc., and I think that's due to the fact that all my gadgets are on one channel, the 2.4GHZ. We have a camera in the backyard and I'm always getting the message or the icon saying that the WiFi signal is poor so even though I won't achieve gigabit speeds with the Ring items themselves the WiFi signal will surely improve...I hope.

I guess I could put some items on the 5GHz channel but as you know that channel doesn't have the same range so using the 5GHz for Ring is totally out of the question but I could use it for the smart TV in the kitchen.

Question what did you mean when you said that Ring devices are b/g/n?  Also, sorry for the confusion but I don't have a laptop, I have a smart TV in my bedroom. Before editing the message I think I mentioned something about the WiFi signal upstairs.  To clarify, I meant that when I'm upstairs and using my cell phone or tablet, I notice that it takes longer for items to download when BEFORE the Ring Security, I didn't have that problem.  I've also noticed a buffering issue when watching my streaming services on the smart TV in my bedroom.  As I said before I REALLY hope the gigabit speed will help. 

What about adding a mesh WiFi system?  I read that it will help to extend/expand your WiFi signal which would be a big help with the upstairs WiFi signal.  I've been looking into the eero or the Netgear/Orbi.

Your thinking is right. Im a big fan of the Netgear

Thanks for your feedback.

I upgraded to the new Verizon router/modem and my speeds via the computer are great. Unfortunately, the wifi speeds didn't change. I will have to get either the  Netgear wifi extender I saw a video about on youtube made by someone who had the same issue I'm having with coverage.  He seemed really happy with the results. The wifi mesh system seems nice but they're super expensive.  I thought the price of the orbi was for a 3 pack but instead the price is for just one!  I will get the Netgear extender which is cheaper but all the videos I've seen give good reviews.